1. The National FFA Organization
2. FFA = Future Farmers of America
3. Official Colors = National Blue &
Corn Gold
4. Smith-Hughes Act = Legislation that led to the founding of Vocational Agriculture
5. Passed in 1917

6.
In 1920’s, the Future Farmer’s
Club was started in Virginia
7. FFA founded in 1928
8. Founded in Kansas City,
Missouri
9. In the Baltimore Hotel
10. Dues were 10 cents per member

11. First National President = Leslie
Applegate, New Jersey
12. First National Advisor = Dr. C.H. Lane
13. 64 delegates from 33 states attended the first convention
14. 1926, 1 st time Vo Ag students participated in the American Royal
Livestock & Horse Show in Kansas City,
Missouri
15. In 1929, official colors accepted

16. Father of the FFA = Henry Groseclose, organized first chapter
17. 1928, 1 st gathering of the New Farmers of America members
18. NFA = FFA for African American Students
19. 1929, 1 st National Star Farmer of
America: Carlton Patton, Arkansas
20. 1930, Official FFA Creed Adopted

21.
Creed written by Erwin Milton “E.M.”
Tiffany, Wisconsin
22. 1930, 1 st National Public Speaking
Event: Edward Drake, Missouri
23. 1933, Blue Corduroy jacket adopted as official dress: Gus Lintner, Fredricktown,
OH
24. 1934, Rhode Island & Alaska were the only uncharted states
25. 1 st National Advisor of NFA: Dr. H.O.
Sargent

26. 1935, NFA national org founded
27. Founded in Tuskegee, Alabama
28.
Nat’l FFA Org began located in U.S. Dept of Education
29. 1939, Land purchased for the 1 st FFAowned national headquarters
30. Located in Alexandria, Virginia

31. 1944, National FFA Foundation founded
32. This is the non-profit, fundraising organization
33. 1944, 1 st Nat’l FFA Ag Proficiency
Awards presented
34. 1947, 1 st National FFA Band at national convention
35. 1948, 1 st National FFA Chorus at convention

36. 1948, National FFA supply service established
37. Where we can order jackets, awards, equipment, ect.
38. 1948, 1 st International exchange program for FFA members
39. Then, established with England &
Scotland
40. Now, also with Japan and
Phillipines

41. 1950, Federal Charter for FFA granted by the U.S. Congress
42.
Named a “intracurricular” part of educational program
43. 1 st federal charter was part of Public Law
740
44. Today, our charter is part of Public Law
105-225
45. 1952, 1 st issue of national FFA magazine,
The National Future Farmer

46. 1965, FFA and NFA merge
47. 1966, 1 st FFA National Ag Career Show at national convention
48. 1969, Membership opened to female students during 42 nd National Convention
49. FFA Motto:
Learning to Do
Doing to Learn
Earning to Live
Living to Serve

50. First National Star in Agribusiness: Ken
Dunagan, Arizona
51. 1971, National FFA Alumni org created
52. Official Dress:
Black slacks (or skirt for ladies)
White Shirt
Black Shoes
Official FFA tie (scarf for ladies)
Official FFA jacket zipped to top

53. 1976, 1 st FFA Student Handbook published
54. 1984, 1 st FFA TV Public Service
Announcements
55. Degrees
• Discovery Degree – “pre-greenhand” 7 th & 8 th grade
– Emblem with Blue Section of Corn
• Greenhand Degree – Learning the ropes – Bronze
FFA Emblem
• Chapter Degree – given within chapter – Silver FFA
Emblem
• State Degree – given by state – Gold FFA Emblem
• American Degree – highest degree that can be received – Gold FFA Emblem with key

56. 1988, Name changed to the National
FFA Organization
57. 1989, Magazine changed to FFA New
Horizons
58. 1991, Virgin Islands and Guam chartered as state associations
59.
Ohio’s State Convention held in
Columbus, Ohio
60. Ohio FFA Foundation located at the Ohio
Expo Center (state fairgrounds)

61. 1998, National FFA Center moves to
Indianapolis, IN
62. 1999, Convention moved to Louisville,
KY
63. Ohio FFA Camp = Camp Muskingum
64. Founded in 1942
65. Located in Carroll County

66. FFA Emblem
• Background – cross section of corn = nat’l symbol of farming
• Rising Sun – represents future and progress in agriculture
• Plow – labor and tillage of soil
• Owl – wisdom & knowledge
• Eagle – freedom and ability to explore new horizons
• “Agriculture Education” surrounding “FFA” – importance of FFA in the program

67. Officers:
• President – Rising Sun – New Dawn & Future
• Vice President – Plow – labor/dedication
• Secretary – Ear of Corn – Correspond throughout nation
• Treasurer – Bust of Washington – Good records like he did
• Reporter – Flag – Report to America
• Sentinel – Symbol of Friendship (shaking hands)
– Welcoming
• Advisor – Owl – Knowledge & Wisdom
• Historian – Scroll – Keeping History